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                                   When the Pressure is On

"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name."
(Malachi 3:16)

Have you ever noticed that those who have the most exciting, faith-inspiring testimonies are those who've been under pressure at some time in their lives? They're the people who stayed faithful when the pressure was on. They're the people who believed God's promises of prosperity in the midst of desperate financial situations or trusted God for healing in the face of a terminal disease.

My friend, when you get into a hard spot, that's not the time to back out on God and begin to say, "Well, God, why did You let this happen to me?" It's not the time to step back and reevaluate His faithfulness.

What I'm saying to you is this: When tough times keep dragging on and the situations around you seem to refuse to get in line with the promises of God, don't reevaluate God! He's not missing it, and He's not failing.

If you're going to reevaluate anything, reevaluate yourself! Look and see where you may have failed. If you still can't find out what the problem is, just say, "God, I don't know what's wrong here, and I'm asking You to show me. But one thing I know, the problem's not with You, and I continue to be moved by Your Word and not by circumstances." Then, when He reveals something to you, be quick to make changes.

I want to encourage you to stand firm and to keep honoring God with your words. The Lord is listening to you when the pressure is on. What is He going to hear?


Scripture Study: Psalm 62 

Tis not often that I get the chance to be # 1, so here I am.

It is great how God works....Sunday morning, in church with a terrible backpain....I was thinking that we don't have healing services anymore.

Wouldn't ya know it....Sunday was a healing service...back is much better today...even played racquetball tonight, though not up to par, still played.

God is REALLY so-ooooo good.  Live is so joyful.  Love is so great!

Love ya'all

Ed

Thanks for the great devotional Janet.  I can certainly relate.  Having been a devoted Christian for over thirty years, I have found that God is solid and real.  Not like the varied teaching that happen in so many of our churches:

QuoteIf you can't go to God's house on Sunday,Why would he take you to his house when he comes?  John Hagee

Sonja is so right.  God knows what is going on and understands that each of His Children face different obstacles in their lives.  That was not something that comes from a loving God.  As a Christian who has spent years leaving home in the very early mornings and standing in rain and snow, waiting for buses at the side of a road, I don't think he is going to turn his back because that is no longer possible.  That would make a mockery of the Bible and all it stands for.  Nor will he turn his back on my brave daughter who can't sit that long in a church now, nor stand the stares of Christians who watch her painful walking....that would make a mockery of all we have believed for so many years.

As Christians, possibly we need to remember that the world is a real place, not simply made up of wise saying, pretty poetry and glorious music.  Sometimes prayers are answered with a yes, sometimes silence and sometimes NO.  Our faith is tested daily and it needs to be strong, tempered with humor, kindness and love.  Hopefully, we will always remember that God will not abandon....no matter what the circumstances.

God Bless,

Liz 

 :)  What a powerful devotion today for me!!

Thank you Janet for reminding me of our God's goodness and mercy in times of trials.  I know I have been through many trials as have you and the others here on CP.

Again and again..thank you.

in His love, kathy :)

hello
just passing through... don't have a lot to do today... have 3 classes all day that count for my transcript the rest are just dud classes to keep me occupied while i'm there... anyways ttyl
Sarah

Morning to all you CP'ers,


       Thank you Janet for this   mornings wonderful devovtiona..You all do such a good job with this..A blessing on you today from me..

       Morning Fast Eddie.. I am glad your back is feeling some better..

       Kathy, Good morning to you..

       Sarah, Hello to you..

       Hello and Blessings to all of you today..

     In Jesus love, Almal

That quote from John Hagee was taken out of context, 
He was referring to backsliders and those who have turned their backs on God.  

It wasn't meant to upset anyone it was meant to cause each one of us to think, and to pray for those whom we don't see in church anymore.

TTYL

Good Morning, Marilyn. 

QuoteIt wasn't meant to upset anyone it was meant to cause each one of us to think, and to pray for those whom we don't see in church anymore.

Yes, that is why I went into the subject....to clarify.  Those not grounded in God's Word could get a very different impression.

God Bless.

Liz

Good morning!  I'm so glad the devotional spoke to several of you, and want to say, it is totally the work of the Holy Spirit.  I had another one prepared, and when I went to post it, it disappeared into cyberspace!  So I believe this was the one He wanted us to have for today.

I am taking Beth to a ladies' luncheon at noon, also delivering one of the puppies to her new owner (YES!) and need to put gas in the car.  Tonight we will go eat Thanksgiving dinner with Mom at the care home.

I had my swim this morning, trying to keep physically active.  There are too many things in life to enjoy not to try to stay as healthy as possible!

Marilyn, thanks for the explanation.  That quote from John Hagee, taken alone, did give a not-so-good impression.  We have to remember that God loves us beyond all measure, beyond all comprehension, and that NOTHING we have done or ever could do will change that.  He stands ready to forgive us and welcome us into His forever family---at any time.  And I know that John Hagee preaches the Word without compromise.  He isn't my favorite, but I do respect him.

iIt's time to "get my face on" and be about the day's tasks.  Talk to you all later!

Hi, Eddie!  So nice to see you today!  ;D  You too, Kathy!!

But where are Jenny and Ria??? :'( :'( :'(

Good Morning Everyone!

It's a bright sunny day here and this room is even sunnier than normal as I now have the A/C out of the window and the dog has found a sunny patch on the floor that wasn't there before!  Both he and Lauren are arguing as to who is going to lie in it!  LOL

Thanks Marilyn for the further explanation of your quote.  There are many who are unable to go to church on a regular basis so I wondered about it.

Janet, thanks for the devotion today.  I have the hymn playing in the background as well and I so enjoy that hymn.

I must go and do some things that must get done as I'm going to a community meeting tonight here and won't be around.

Good morning everyone!!!  Here in the interior BC it's another foggy day.  I think it would be a good idea for me to start liking fog  :-\.

I'm glad about the explanation for the devo today.

Out of curiousity, what is a "healing service"?  Wouldn't you pray for healing at every worship service?  I'm not asking flippantly, but I'm curious.

Pat, do you have a hymn called, "O Jesus So Sweet, O Jesus So Mild".  It's one of my favourites, and the words are so good.  Maybe it's been posted already ???

Ursula: A healing service is one dedicated strictly to healing from the message of God's healing power to the laying on of hands and annointing the sick with oil and praying for them. In our church here, Not only the Pastor, lays on hands and annoints with oil but so do the deacons who will all gather around the person being prayed for and lay on their hands as well, my Pastor also calls up the prayer warriors to lay on hands. The women lay hands on the women and all pray for that person.Even the music is all the hymns and songs about God's healing power.  at my church you may also see some "Slain in the Spirit"


Hey  MIKE: help with the explaination of being "Slain in the Spirit"

All churches don't have these healing services though, Ursula.  But that doesn't mean that those who do are right or that those who don't are wrong.

The church that I attend doesn't have one.

Hi everyone.  It is a beautiful sunny day here in Georgia and a little warmer than yesterdayl  Pat and I went to the "Y" to exercise and walk this morning.

We have had several  healing services at our church, which may be rather unusual for a Presbyterian Church (I had never experienced them before).  . 

Janet, thanks for the devotional.  I thought it was very good and I am glad the other one sort of disappeared as this is the one we needed today.  Hope you and Beth enjoy the thanksgiving dinner with your mother this evening.

A cousin of mine sent this to me and I wanted to share it with you all.  I realize you may have seen it before but it is worth a second reading.

Pat, THANK YOU!!!  I love that song.

I wasn't implying in any way that it is righ or wrong to have such a service, I simply was not familiar with it - I'd heard of them, but I didn't really know what they are.  The Lutheran tradition is different from others, that's true, and I am comfortable being Lutheran - but I'm really curious about other traditions.

Ursula

Larry, that quote is priceless!  If you don't mind, I'm going to tell it to my husband, maybe he can work it into a sermon someday.

Quote from: Pat Scott on November 16, 2004, 02:05:30 PM
All churches don't have these healing services though, Ursula.  But that doesn't mean that those who do are right or that those who don't are wrong.

The church that I attend doesn't have one.

O Jesus so Sweet, O Jesus So Mild[/size] (http://christianphotographers.com/sounds/hs858.mid)
(Click to hear music)

By: Valentin Thilo, 1607-62


O Jesus so sweet, O Jesus so Mild!
For sinners You became a child.
You came from heaven to fulfill
Your Father’s just and holy will.
O Jesus so sweet, O Jesus so mild!

O Jesus so sweet, O Jesus so Mild!
With God we now are reconciled.
You have for all the ransom paid,
Your Father’s righteous anger stayed.
O Jesus so sweet, O Jesus so mild!

O Jesus so sweet, O Jesus so Mild!
Joy fills the world which sin defiled.
Whatever we have belongs to You;
Oh, keep us faithful, strong, and true.
O Jesus so sweet, O Jesus so mild!

I just sang the song a couple times - the words are so comforting.  I think this is one of the songs I'd like people to sing at my funeral.  Thanks again, Pat.

So glad you enjoyed that, Ursula!  I have been enjoying it too this afternoon.

Yes, I've been wondering where our Ria is.  I so enjoy her early morning posts.  I was so glad that she came back to CP but oh how hectic her life must be with the concerns of her sick relations.

And speaking of Jenny, Janet, I've posted a photo for her in Furry Friends!  LOL   ;D ;D ;D  It arrived here when I was getting ready to go to the Royal Winter Fair and then I had company all weekend so couldn't get it posted till today for our Jenny!   :o :o :o  Must get the new challenge ready.

Larry, praying for you too.

Janice ~ Great to see you posting.  Sorry about your son-in-law but glad he was a believer.  

Larry ~ Jerry ordered all the parts online and built his own tower/compressor.  It didn't work when he got everything in it.  My step-grandson was going to look at it but with college and working he didn't have time.  So Jerry mentioned it to our Childrens Assistant Minister or perhaps that is Assistant to the Childrens Minister.  He graduated from Johnson Bible College last springand is a minister also.  He said for Jerry to bring it to him and he would look at it.  The power supply was wired wrong.  I just talked to Jerry on IM and he is on the new computer.  Remember, Larry, I am praying for a great report on you CT scan.

Janet ~ No fear.  I won't even try to take your honor away for being the busiest on CP!  You can have that honor!

Here is almost evening and I am just now posting.  I got online this morning and Ivalou called and asked me if I wanted to go run around with her and do some shopping?  Sure!  Why not!  But before we went shopping we went to Kaye Don and Barb's.  Barb's birthday is tomorrow and we wanted to know what the plans were for eating out.  We all go out to eat for each of our birthdays.  So we are going for breakfast in the morning.

Then Ivalou and I ate at O'Charley's.  I decided I like this borrow book of 500 Low-Carb recipes enough to purchase it so I now have my own.  Ivalou want to go to the party place to get plates and glasses for Thanksgiving Dinner and we did.  Then Kroger grocery was advertizing a Christmas Tree with the lights already on it...7½ foot tall with 1000 miniature lights on it.  She even got $5 off by having a Kroger Card.  Then we went to the Dollar General and home.  Great day!!!!

But it is getting dark already!!!

?º°`°º?ø,¸¸,ø?º°`°º?ø?º°`°º?ø,¸¸,ø?º°`°º?ø?º°`°º?ø,¸¸,ø?º°`°º?ø?º°`
"Perhaps you have heard of the little boy who prayed, 'Father, forgive us our trespasses, as we give it to those who trespass against us.'"

Ohh, Etta Sue, I wondered where you were!  Love that little boat!

Hi there, Etta Sue!  Believe me, you can have the title of busiest!  I am continually trying to figure out how to slow down..........Guess Darrel is right, you just have to learn to say "no."  And I am doing much better at that than I used to do, but still seem to stay continually busy.  It would be so much fun to have a sister close by to go do things with at a minute's notice!  It's wonderful you two can have such good times together.

I still enjoy those cute quotes and graphics you post----thanks!

Hello, Larry!  Blessings to you today, and I hope both you and your Pat are well.

I was just in the CP Gallery and I see that 25 of our members have created galleries and there are some lovely photos in there.

Have you all gone in to see them?  Once you are logged on here, you are able to leave a comment below any of the photos in the gallery.

November 15   

Spiritual Warfare and Sin: Self-sins

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but
Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I
live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for
me. 
--Galatians 2:20

To be specific, the self-sins are self-righteousness, self-pity,
self-confidence, self-sufficiency, self-admiration, self-love and
a host of others like them. They dwell too deep within us and are
too much a part of our natures to come to our attention till the
light of God is focused upon them. The grosser manifestations of
these sins--egotism, exhibitionism, self-promotion--are strangely
tolerated in Christian leaders, even in circles of impeccable
orthodoxy. They are so much in evidence as actually, for many
people, to become identified with the gospel. I trust it is not a
cynical observation to say that they appear these days to be a
requisite for popularity in some sections of the church visible.
Promoting self under the guise of promoting Christ is currently
so common as to exite little notice....

Self is the opaque veil that hides the face of God from us. It can
be removed only in spiritual experience, never by mere
instruction. We may as well try to instruct leprosy out of our
system. There must be a work of God in destruction before we are
free. We must invite the cross to do its deadly work within us. We
must bring our self-sins to the cross for judgment.  The Pursuit
of God, 43-44.

"Oh Lord, do that 'work of God in destruction' within me today.
I am indeed 'crucified with Christ.' I pray this morning that the
cross would obliterate the self-sins in my life and let me live
only for Jesus Christ and His glory. Amen."

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Hi Chris!   Great to see you.  Did you have a good day at work today?  Is it cold over there?

BREAKING NEWS...

Family believes British hostage Margaret Hassan killed in Iraq -

Good Afternoon everyone. I am home on a  2 hour afternoon break and thought I would check up on all y-all. 

QuoteAll churches don't have these healing services though, Ursula.  But that doesn't mean that those who do are right or that those who don't are wrong.

It also doesn't mean that those who do are wrong either. Or that those who don't are necessarly right.[/b]

Hi, friends,

As for healing. My mother was told by the doctor to sit beside my bassinette (I was 4 months old with double pneumonia) with the big old wind up alarm clock and put in the time of death on the death certificate he signed and left with her as he hurried off to be at his own dying mother's bedside.

My father and the man next door went up on the mountain behind our home and prayed until about 1 o'clock in the morning when they both felt that they would find me much healthier when they returned to the house.

Mother said that at about 1 a.m., my color turned from bluish black to white, then pink, I coughed deeply several times and opened my eyes and smiled at her.

How many people do you know who have a yellowed and worn signed death  certificate - incomplete only by the time of death not being written in it.

We all believe this was an instance of divine healing. Not during a formal worship service, but definitely where worship and agonizing prayer was taking place.

Ruth Ann

Praise God, Ruth Ann!  And for those of us who have experienced it, it doesn't work to tell us that divine healing passed away with the apostles.....too late!!  We already experienced it!  And the word of our testimony is powerful, because we KNOW that we KNOW that we KNOW God still heals today!  Hallelujah!

Quote from: Ruth Ann Bice on November 16, 2004, 06:10:42 PM
Hi, friends,

As for healing. My mother was told by the doctor to sit beside my bassinette (I was 4 months old with double pneumonia) with the big old wind up alarm clock and put in the time of death on the death certificate he signed and left with her as he hurried off to be at his own dying mother's bedside.

My father and the man next door went up on the mountain behind our home and prayed until about 1 o'clock in the morning when they both felt that they would find me much healthier when they returned to the house.

Mother said that at about 1 a.m., my color turned from bluish black to white, then pink, I coughed deeply several times and opened my eyes and smiled at her.

How many people do you know who have a yellowed and worn signed death  certificate - incomplete only by the time of death not being written in it.

We all believe this was an instance of divine healing. Not during a formal worship service, but definitely where worship and agonizing prayer was taking place.

Ruth Ann

God answers prayers, not always the way we want to, but he always answers, and takes care of us.  That's why we always pray that His will be done, not ours. 

Quote from: Pat Scott on November 16, 2004, 05:30:03 PM
BREAKING NEWS...

Family believes British hostage Margaret Hassan killed in Iraq -

That is just so awful.  There is absolutely NO EXCUSE for people anywhere to do stuff like this, to kinap and murder innocent bystanders, no excuse. 

Quote from: Marilyn Fisher on November 16, 2004, 05:55:51 PM
Good Afternoon everyone. I am home on a 2 hour afternoon break and thought I would check up on all y-all.



It also doesn't mean that those who do are wrong either. Or that those who don't are necessarly right.

Of course, I meant that Marilyn.

I just didn't word it correctly.

Quote from: Ursula on November 16, 2004, 06:31:01 PM


God answers prayers, not always the way we want to, but he always answers, and takes care of us. That's why we always pray that His will be done, not ours.

AMEN!!  I agree with this.  I've experienced this so often--especially during the caregiving years looking after Jack and also when our mother was very ill.

Of course, our 'human-ness' wants our loved ones healed on this earth but this might not be what our Heavenly Father wants.

I've seen the Lord heal many times in my life and it's a wonderful thing to see.

There is a lot of controversy over healing ministeries and all that they encompas.  I have seen people healed, and seen others not healed till they reach glory.  Pat is right when she says some have healing services, some do not.  In both cases there is neither a right or wrong.  I personally believe that God heals, and that healing will only be for His Glory not for our glory, and He in His foreknowledge knows the ultimate outcome.  So when we in our humanness ask for healing, we need to make sure our attitude is right and our desire healing be for God's glory.

And a willingness to accept His ultimate will and to glorify him throughout the process is also important, in my humble opinion.

Ruth Ann

We have had another nice day here today on the Hilton Head Island.  This morning we drove to the other end of the Island and had lunch of an interesting restaurant called, The Salty Dog.

This afternoon Cornelia had a nice walk on the beach while I sat in the sun on my folding chair and read.

We are getting ready for our Bible reading for tonight which is in the book of Acts.  Tomorrow we will leave on a bus for a tour trip to Savannah, Georgia, which is about 40 miles from here.

I hope you are all doing well tonight.

Acts 4:16-20
16   "What are we going to do with these men?" they asked. "Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it.
17   But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name."
18   Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
19   But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God.
20   For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."
(NIV)

--- Papa John          <;D)))><<   
[/color]

In James we read "Is anyone among you sick?  Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up."

We aren't told this work of the elders needs to be done in a special service (or not in a special service), but we are told it should be done.  The instigation is that of the sick person.  The anointing with oil is analagous to all the anointings of the Old and New Testaments.  It's meaning is a meaning of prayer.  By placing the oil upon an individual we are asking that God would heal that individual - the oil designates the individual and separates/sanctifies that individual to God's special dealing.  It's like saying, "Father, we separate this person from the rest and ask You to heal him(her) specially - we hold him/her up to You for Your gracious work.  If some wish to do this in a special service, I see no problem with that.  If it's done in a more "regular" service, then I see no problem with that.  Only I do believe we shouldn't add our own "spiritually" concocted rituals to what He tells us in His Word.  And I do think we should keep it simple and humble - we should simply and humbly request our gracious Father to heal.  This is simply one aspect of loving the brethren - we are loving those for whom we pray.

There is absolutely no healing apart from the grace of God, whether directly and without doctors/medicines or indirectly by use of doctors/medicines.  Thank our God for doctors/medicines!

Al, so wonderfully put.   I do believe that God heals.  I KNOW that God heals.  I've also seen the church, in ignorance I guess, make sick people feel guilty that they aren't healed.  The Church has gone through so many transitions....sometimes in error, and coming around to truth again at another time, but all through Scripture, God is our healer.  I don't understand why more aren't healed when we pray....why some see miracles and some leave this earth still believing that God will heal them on this side.  Some day we'll know as we are known, and I'll understand.   In the meantime, as was posted, in our health and in our weaknesses we are to love and honor God....And we are also told to pray without ceasing, pray fervently for the saints.

  Yes, I believe healing is for today.  Today(or yesterday) is only in our own time frame.  Where God lives, it's all NOW. Past, present, and future is all NOW to God.  If He said it then, and hasn't changed His mind or corrected us in our understanding, then He is still saying it today. ;D

  We had a funeral today. I didn't go, it was my grandson's paternal grandmother.  I picked him up from school and took him. He met his dad and wife there. I wish he and his dad could talk.  I see the pain, but they're so stubborn.  His gramma  was ill and had developed pneumonia.  It was the first funeral Kyle had been to.  I guess, in this life, there is always a first. 

   Did I tell you, Janet, that I'm down to two puppies?  Yes.....TWO puppies.  The girls are gone. (so you have one, eh?) Amy is still here, still growling at the kids, but suddenly I seem to have more room in my lliving room.  We've condensed their living/play area and are letting them out more.  So far.......puppy pads are working great.  Now this is joy!!  The innocence of little puppies bouncing around and so curious about life and everything that makes it interesting.  They are blessiings. If Amy wasn't so tense, and making the kids feel it, then it'd be perfect.  I'm stil waiting to hear from the man who is wanting a little companion.  We will see.

   

QuoteNita, I use Firefox quite a bit and just now checked and I didn't have any difficulty going to the Gallery and seeing the buttons for navigation.  Don't know what to suggest to you.  There is a new 1.0 version of the software available now.  It seems to be more stable, at least for me.

Larry, not to keep talking about my delimna (haha)but can you see the icons that let you "order/modify albums, or upload pics to your gallery?   I can see some of the basic ones, but it's as if I wasn't logged in, and using Firefox, I can't seem to get logged into the gallery.  From others I've talked to it seems to be in the web design.  Unless you CAN see those buttons.  But I'm using IE for that, so I'm ok

I've had more energy today and have felt much better. :)

good night all. 

Hi Everyone!
Sorry I have been MIA for awhile-things have just been over whelming busy for me-I don't get on the computer as much as I used to anymore-
I did want to say something about the "healing talk" I truely believe God is in the healing business today as he was in the beginning.
He desires all of us to be healthy..
Hugs
Rachelle

Hi, Nita!  Yes, we still have 3 of the 4 puppies.  They are so cute and so sweet, I just wish we could find them homes, pronto!  Or at least two of them.  We wouldn't mind keeping one of them.  The Schwan's man told me this evening that the pet store in Garden City would probably take them, but that means a trip to take them up there............and so little time left before we leave.

Beth is training her tiny puppy using those pads.......I sure don't want to try to train three!

Beth and I enjoyed the Thanksgiving dinner with Mom at the care home.  Good food, and nice entertainment, two ladies sang several songs each.  Beth got to see some friends and tell them her happy news, so she was glowing.

I'm going to shut down and do something else for a while!  Good night!

Janet, I'm so glad that you had a nice Thanksgiving Dinner.  I guess you'll be away in Thailand over Thanksgiving?  I forget. 

So glad that you people are getting rid of your puppies to good homes.  Maybe in the spring I'll be looking for a little border collie so that Geordie can help with the training of it.

Rachelle, nice to see you.  How's Shawnee doing?

 Â  Yes,I was glowing! and a few people could see it shining off my face.I talked to friend of mine over in Manter and he called a buddy of his and tried really hard to get him to take a puppy but the guy only wants a Beagle.I ate way too much.I have to stop eating or I'll blow up and look like a rhino and John will have to build up his muscles to get me up and down my ramp.I am hoping this eating thing won't last any longer and  i will try hard to stop pigging out.I know God heals and I am recieving mine,well on my way to being made whole and just speaking it out and have it in my vision.I also know God saved me from death in 1997 I was very critical and came close to dying March 11,1997 but God is Good all the time,all the time God is Good!I know I am living proof.Beth

Nice day today.  Great to see all the thoughtful posts this afternoon and evening.

Now, it's time to lock the door.

See you in tomorrow's NEM...  CLICK HERE (http://christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=3692.0)